A wrestling article that isn’t about Trump, tribalism, or Cornette

AJ Styles’ “P1” logo is one of many popular side plates WWE has introduced in recent years. | (Photo: WWE) “Stone Cold” Steve Austin shocked fans in 1998 when he ditched the WWE Championship for a personalized version of the belt, featuring his smoking skull logo on the center plate and snakeskin backing. Since then, WWE introduced various customized championships. The most notable — and notorious — were John Cena’s spinner titles in the 2000s, which divided traditionalists and newer fans. In recent years, WWE has found a middle ground that keeps titles focused on the brand while still personalizing them for individual holders: custom side plates. Typically, these plates feature a wrestler’s name in bold lettering or their signature logo. But the concept isn’t entirely new. Instead, it’s the evolution of a long-running tradition. In the 1970s, the NWA “Domed Globe” World Heavyweight Championship featured an engraved nameplate of the reigning champion. That continued with the introdu